Knitting machine



Aug. 27, 1940 H. MCADAMS KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1936 15 Sheets-$heet l INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

7 4 H. M AD AMS 2,213,142

KNITTING MACHINE v Filed June 20, 1936 l3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

- Harv- M Ac'l ams ATTO R N EYS.

Aug. 27, 1940. H. MCADAMS 2,213,142

KNITTINGMACHINE Filed June 20, 1936 13 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

- Hart- PI -Adams ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 27, 1940. H. MCADAMS 2,213,142

' KNI/TTING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1956 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 E M B INVENTOR.

Har'r' M AdETTLS ATTORNEYS.

Au 27, 1940. H MCAD 2,213,142

' KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1956 1s Sheets-Sheet e HOHOH 0 o a o o a INVENTOR.

Ham-1 M Adam-L5 ATTORN EYS.

H. MCADAMS KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1936 l3 Sheets-Sheet 7 'Q I r R INVENTOR.

Harr M Adam 5 Filed June 20, 1936 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR.

- Harv-5 PI -Adams Z. lw/g y ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 27, 1940. H. MCADAMS 2,213,142

KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1936 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 Run in L .fiemvan Aug. 27, 1940. MCADAMS 2,213,142

KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1936 gs SheeiLs-Sheet 10 mg 1 5 240 42a 24 I55 442 2!? 40/ 21/ INVENTOR.

Harr M A :1 EUTLS BYC [Z z ATTORNEYS.

H. M ADAMS Aug 27, 1940.

KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1936 13 Sheets-Sheet ll INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

H. M ADAMS Aug. 27, 1940.

KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1936 13 Sheets-Sheet 12 -L INVENTOR. Har'r*1 M Adams 24 i & M

/ ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 27, 1940. H. MCADAMS 2,213,142-

KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 20,, 1936 15 Sheets-SheeylS Patented Aug. 27, 1940 PATENT OFFHCE KNITTING MACHINE Harry McAdams, Reading, Pa., assignor to The Nolde & Horst Company, Reading, Pa., a corporation Application June 20, 1936, Serial N 0. 86,420

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in knitting machines. 7

The primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved knitting machine, preferably of the rotary cylinder type, embodying improved means for the full automatic and continuous circular knitting of stockings in stringwork.

A further object of this invention is the provision of improved means (in an automatic circular knitting machine adapted to knit stockings or other tubular articles in stringwork) to transfer stitches from one set of needles to another.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved full. automatic circular knitting machine, which includes a rotary cylinder and rotary dial, having improved means for the transfer of dial needle stitch loops to the stitches of the cylinder needles in order to vary the character of knitting in a stocking,

such as when progressing from the knitting of a rib top to the leg.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved dial construction for circular knitting machines.

A further object of this invention is the provision of improved means for selectively controlling the dial needles of a circular knitting machine.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved method for the knitting of a seamless stocking in stringwork.

A further object of this invention is the provision of improved drive means for the dial of a knitting machine whereby to eliminate excessive play relative to the cylinder.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved durable, compact, rotary knitting machine of the dial. and cylinder type, whereon the cams, needles, and pattern controlling and part operating details are readily and easily accessible.

A further object of this invention is the provision of improved pattern controlling means for knitting machines.

A further object of this invention is the provision of improved spliced or additional yarn control means.

Other object and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the improved knitting machine.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the improved knitting machine.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the improved knitting machine with a portion of the overhead structure above the dial of the knitting machine removed to better illustrate the means for controlling various cams of the knitting machine.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through the cylinder and dial construction of the knitting machine; showing the drive of the latter and the improved selective dial needle control arrangement.

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken through the drive and operating mechanism of the machine below the table top or bed of the machine; more particularly showing the means for driving the pattern chain and the pattern drum advancing pawls.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the needle lay-out in the bed of the dial of the machine, showing the dial needles projected at one position for rib knitting, and projected at another position for transfer of stitches therefrom to cylinder needles.

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of the cam and cam groove arrangement in the dial cap. Y

Figure 9 is a developed view showing the cylinder needle, jack, and dial needle control finger lay-out of the knitting machine, as the parts will appear during the knitting of plain knitted work upon the machine.

Figure 10 is a developed view showing the cylinder needle, jack, and dial needle control finger lay-out of the knitting machine, as the parts will appear during the last part of the knitting of one and one rib and the first part of the transfer action of transferring stitch loops from dial needles to those alternate cylinder needles which are inactive during the knitting of rib work.

Figure 11 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken through the main drive shaft of the knitting machine and more particularly showing the gearing arrangement for the different speeds of the machine and for oscillating or reciprocating drive of the cylinder.

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic fragmentary representation of the pattern control chain of the machine.

Figure 13 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken through the main pattern drum; its shaft and the main pattern chain sprocket wheel.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary view showing a brake drum arrangement on the main pattern drum mounting shaft.

Figure 15 is a top plan view of my improved sinker cam cap for the machine, showing associated therewith an improved splice yarn control member which is used during rotary knitting to guide the splice yarn out of the way of the dial and dial needles.

Figure 16 is a. bottom plan View of the sinker cam cap and more particularly showing improved means for rendering the sinker cams operative or inoperative.

Figure 17 is a developed view of the main pattern control drum and ratchet wheel drive arrangment.

Figure 18 is a fragmentary view of several stockings which may be knitted in stringwork upon the machine; the view showing one complete stocking and appended portions of other stockings at each end thereof, and also showing the nature of the various parts of the stocking and the joining means between the stockings.

Figure 19 is a series of views showing the bottom of the improved dial needle used with my machine; this dial needle being of the type set forth in my copending application Serial No. 68,526, filed March 12, 1936, now Patent No. 2,111,476.

Figures 20, 21 and 22 are perspective views showing various steps in the cycle of transferring a stitch loop from 'a dial needle to a cylinder needle on the improved machine.

Figure 23 is a fragmentary perspective view showing an improved binder and cutter which may be mounted upon the dial of the knitting machine.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of i1- lustration are shown preferred and modified embodiments of the improved knitting machine and the details thereof, the letter A may generally designate the improved knitting machine. .It

includes a frame B having a rotary cylinder 0 and a dial D. Drive means E is provided for driving the cylinder C and bed of the dial D, and for operating a pattern control drum arrangement F and a pattern chain G. A set H of dial needles is provided and also a set K of cylinder needles. Selective means L is provided for operating the dial needles for various purposes, and a take-up mechanism M is provided for taking up the string of tubular fabric N as it is knitted.

The frame B of the machine includes a cabinet portion 25 within which the drive mechanism of the machine is mounted. The frame is supported upon suitable legs 26 or in other manner and it has a top table 21 which supports the cylinder for vertical movement.

The cylinder C is longitudinally slotted on the outer surface thereof for reciprocably receiving needles and jacks therein; the needles being mounted in the upper part of the cylinder and the jacks in the slots below the needles in the usual manner. An anti-friction bearing construction 30, shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, has a race directly supporting the lower end of the cylinder C; this anti-friction bearing 30 being supported in a ring-shaped cup 3|. The cup 3| is suitably bolted or riveted as shown at 33 in Figure 2 of the drawings to the upper end of a vertically movable supporting bar 35. The bar rod 35 is slidably supported in suitable brackets 36 provided upon the frame of the machine. A spring 31, shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, normally holds the bar 35 downwardly, and at its lower end it may rest upon an adjusting screw 38 as shown in Figure 2. This cylinder supporting bar 35 may be elevated by means of a lever 38 which is pivoted at 39 on a frame bracket of .the machine, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. The lever 38 is operated off the section F of the pattern control arrangement F, and at its other end the lever 38 may engage a pin 40 which is integral with the bar 35. A lug on the drum F will depress the lever 38 at its drum end and thus elevate the cylinder in a manner which is apparent from the drawings.

The cylinder C at its lower end is upwardly slotted, as shown at 4| in Figure 2 of the drawings to receive therein sectors 42 of the ring gear 43 in which the cylinder C is movably mounted, as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. The gear 43 is socketed in the supporting bed 21 of the frame B, as shown in Figure 4. A cap plate 45 is secured at 46 to the bed 21 for the purpose of maintaining the ring gear 43 rotatably in place. The gear 43 is of the bevel herring-bone type.

The top construction of the cylinder is rather conventional. It includes a top ring 50, for slidably supporting the sinkers 5|. The sinker control arrangement further includes the sinker or web holding bed 52 which is keyed at 53 to the cylinder. The sinker cam ring 54 is mounted on the bed and of course is provided with movement limiting lugs 290 thereon, best shown in Figures 15 and 16 of the drawings, located at opposite sides of a stop post 29| (see Figure 1), as is usual in circular knitting machines of this general type. The sinkers 5| are of general construction and need not be further described, since their nature, function and construction is well understood in the art to which this invention relates. Reference in this connection may be made to U. S. Patent #1,467,691. The sinker cam ring 54 has an annular channel in the undersurface thereof, in which the butts of the sinkers ride. In this channel the sinker cam ring 54 is provided with a sinker withdrawing cam 60 and sinker advancing cams 6| and 62. The advancing cams 6| and 62 are pivoted at their proximate ends at 63 and are adapted to be retracted at different operations throughout the knitting of the stocking. Means is provided to move the advancing cams BI and 62 comprising a circumferentially movable ring 65 socketed in an annular channel in the top of the cam ring 54, as is shown in Figures 4 and 15 of the drawings. This ring 65 is provided with cams 65 slotted to receive pins 61 of the cams SI and 62 and having throw portions 65 to move the cams 6| and 62 to a retracted position. Cams BI and G2 are advanced and retracted as the ring 65 is reciprocably moved in its channel on the sinker cam ring 54. A spring 64 normally maintains the cams 6| and 62 in sinker advancing position.

Referring now to the pattern control drum arrangement F, with reference to Figures 2, 3 and 13 of the drawings it will be seen that this drum arrangement is compactly located at the rear of the machine in an easily accessible and convenient location. It essentially consists of a shaft 15 rotatably supported and connected by brackets 16 to the frame of the machine; one of the brackets 16 being located intermediate the ends of the shaft 15 to give it central support. The drum arrangement includes the drum F and the drum F and on these drums a circumferential series of lugs are provided for operating the various levers and parts of the machine. A coinpact and accessible arrangement of levers includes a shaft 11 which is pivotally supported by the brackets I6 of the machine; said shaft extending parallel with the drum and at a location between the drums and the cylinder and on a level approximately in a line tangent to the top of the drums. On this shaft 11 are located bell crank levers which are pivoted for oscillative action thereon; the said bell crank levers having arm portions which operate at their ends on lugs on the drum, the opposite ends of said levers extending substantially vertical and having rod attachments with the different features of the machine to be operated. Withv reference to the sinker cam control ring 65 immediately above described, one of the levers I9 of the shaft 11 has the upper end of its vertical arm supporting a connecting rod 80; the opposite end of said connecting rod 80 being attached in a suitable opening 82 provided in the ring 65 (see Figures 3 and 15). Rocking of the lever I9 incident to operation off the drum F" will cause movement of the ring 05 and throw the cams 6| and 62 into retracted position (see dotted lines in Figure 16) The drums F and F are keyed at 83 to the shaft I5, and the shaft I5 has also keyed therewith a ratchet wheel 85. 'To insure uniformity of movement advance of the shaft I5 at one side of the machine beyond the support I6 the shaft I5 is provided with a brake drum 36 and toothed detent wheel 81. A spring actuated pawl 3'! is pivoted at 80 on the frame of the machine (see Figure 14). A tooth 89 is located in the recesses between the teeth on the wheel 81 to restrain too free advance of the shaft 81 except as hereinafter noted. A brake band 88 acts continuously on the drum 86 to prevent loose play in the shaft 15 and thus prevents the forward or backward movement of either of the drums F or F" except as advanced by pawl mechanism to be hereinafter described. The shaft I5 is provided with a freely rotatable sprocket wheel 90 thereon around which the pattern chain G is trained. This sprocket wheel 90 has a suitable ratchet wheel .9! keyed or integrally connected as a part thereof, operating therewith, and located side by side with the shaft keyed ratchet 85 above described, as shown in Figure 13 of the drawings. The drum advancing ratchet wheel 85 has thirty-six teeth around the periphery thereof and the ratchet wheel 9! attached to the sprocket wheel 90 is provided with seventy-two teeth. In order to prevent loose advancing or retracting movement of these two sprocket wheels a detent 93 is provided on the machine (see Figure 6) which is broad enough to operate in the teeth recesses of both of these ratchet wheels and 9| to maintain them in their proper relationship.

The pattern chain G is of course trained over the teeth on the sprocket wheel 92. This chain is relatively long since it is intended to provide in it one link for each knitted course throughout the length of the stocking or article being knitted. In order to accommodate the chain a special frame is provided consisting of a supporting standard 94, as shown in Figure 6 of the drawings, connected in depending relation from the machine frame, and having upper and lower support bars 95 and 96 respectively. These support bars each have a series of rotatable wheels or rollers 91 thereon around which the chain G is trained. The frame of the machine may additionally be provided with rollers 98 around which the chain G is trained as it comes direct from the sprocket wheel prior to the zig-zag training of the chain over the rollers on the upper and lower support bars and 96. As will be noted from Figure 1 of the drawings this chain is located in an out of the way relation at the rear of and beneath the frame of the machine, below the drive mechanism control box or compartment in the machine, as shown in Figure 6.

Referring to the dial construction D and the selective means L for operating the dial needles thereof, a very compact bracket or yoke construction is provided for supporting the dial mechanism over the cylinder in such manner that all of the parts of the same are readily accessible and so that the dial may be moved to an out of the way position with respect to the cylinder. This bracket or supporting yoke construction for the dial is generally of inverted U-shape formation. It includes a stationary bracket I00, at the left side of the machine, bolted at I0! to the machine bed 21' and extending upward diagonally towards the cylinder to a point about even with the top of the cylinder, where it pivotally supports at I02 a dial supporting arm I04. This arm includes a portion I65 which really forms an extension of the bracket arm I09 and is inclined diagonally towards the cylinder when the dial is placed over the cylinder. It further includes the horizontal supporting portion I96 which lies horizontally over the cylinder, as shown in Figure 4. The yoke construction for supporting the dial further includes the bracket arm I01 mounted on the bed of the machine at the opposite side from the bracket I00, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, and which extends diagonally upward inclined towards the cylinder and at its upper end is adapted to receive the free end of the dial supporting arm I04 in resting relation thereon; an adjusting screw I00 being provided on the end of the arm I04, for abutment with the upper end of the arm I01, to regulate the spacing of the dial above the cylinder when in knitting position.

The, horizontal portion I06 of the dial bracket. swinging arm I04 is provided with a non-rotatable depending shaft I09, shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, and which is bolted thereto at IIO; an annular stop flange III being provided thereon to abut the under surface of the arm I05 and enable the shaft to be properly bolted into position. A rotatable sleeve H5 is mounted on the lower end of the shaft IE9 in position to be axially aligned with the cylinder C when the ,swinging arm I04 is in the position shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. This rotatable sleeve H5 is maintained detachably on the shaft I99 at the lower end of the latter by means of a nut H6 and supporting washer III, and it is on the lower end of this sleeve II5 that the dial bed H8 of the dial construction D is keyed, as by a detachable pin H9. The sleeve II5 at its upper end has a gear adjusting plate I20, keyed thereto at I2I, as shown in Figure 4. A gear I22 is rotatably located in a recess or socket provided in the bottom surface of the swinging arm I04; said gear being centrally apertured to receive the flange III of the sleeve II5 as shown in Figure 4. This gear is adjustably keyed or attached to the adjusting plate I20 and of course the drive of the machine driving the gear I22 will thus drive the sleeve H5 and rotate the dial bed H3 therewith in synchronism with the cylinder C as will be subsequently described. The timed adjustm'ent of the gear teeth relative to the drive shaft H5 is angularly secured by providing :1- depending lug I23 on the gear I22, as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, which depends between two extensions I24 and I25 on the adjusting plate I20; adjusting screws I 26 being provided on the plate extensions I24 and I25, in order to angularly adjust the gear I22 relative to the rotatable sleeve II5. In order to insure attachment of the gear to the plate I20 when the proper timing has been obtained bolts I28 may be tightened. These bolts I28 are screw threaded in sockets in the plate I20, as shown in Figure 5, and the gear I22 is provided with slots to receive the shanks thereof.

The dial construction includes the bed H8 and the stationary dial cap I29. This dial cap is in the form of a ring so that the lower ends of the dial needle actuating fingers I30 (comprising part of the selective means L for operating the dial needles) may engage the said dial needles either at the rear ends thereof or on special butt arrangements which may be provided on the dial needles in order to move them for accomplishing various operations.

Referring now to the dial bed construction I I8. as is shown in Figure 7 of the drawings, the same is provided with slots I3I which reciprocably receive the needles I32 of the set H of dial needles.

The dial needles I32 are of the nature and construction set forth in my co-pending application Serial No. 68,526, filed March 12, 1936. They each include a body portion I35 having a shoulder I36 intermediate its ends behind the points where the latch closes. The needle has the usual hook end latch. Immediately rearwardly of the shoulder the body I35 is laterally recessed upwardly from the lower edge thereof, at I31. Facing this recess is a spring arm I38 which at its fore end is free of direct attachment to the needle and is provided with a lip I39 adapted to fit in the recessed portion I40 in the lower edge of the needle. The arm I38 is spring bowed as shown in the upper corner in Figure 19 of the drawings and faces the concaved recess I31 in the body of the needle to provide an eye which is vertically disposed when the dial needle is positioned in the dial bed. The head of the cylinder needle may readily slip into this opening notwithstanding that the cylinder needle is directly opposite the line of travel of the dial needle. The lip I39 prevents the stitch catching in the eye. The arm I38 compresses into the position shown in the middle view of Figure 19 when the dial needle is retracted in the groove of the dial bed. Upon projection of the needle the stitch catches against the shoulder I36 and is spread open by the arm I38 so that the cylinder needle may readily enter it as shown in Figure 21. The dialbed II8 has the grooves I3 I widened at the fore ends thereof.

The dial cap I29 is best shown in Figures 4 and 8 of the drawings, and the dot and dash line application of the cams and cam grooves thereof with respect to the dial needles is shown in Figure '7. The dial cap has a central opening I42 to receive the lower ends of the dial actuating fingers I30. The dial needles are ini tially projected by the fingers I30 both for transferring stitches from dial needles to cylinder needles and at a second location to receive yarns when they are used in connection with the cylinder needles for knitting rib work. The dial cap I29 is provided with the dial needle butt receiving groove I44 which receives-the dial needles when they are inactively positioned. The dial needles.are projected into stitch transfer posi tion by a cam I45, comprising part of the dial cap, when the butts of the needles I2 are thrown -I56 thereon for the fingers or members into the groove I46 surrounding this cam. Normally, the butts of the dial needles travel inactively in the groove I44. The dial needles are projected so that their butts will engage the cam I45 by the dial needle selector fingers I30. The opening I42 in the cap is widened at I41 to enable the lower ends of the fingers I30 to push the dial needles so their butts will engage against the cam I45, as shown in Figure 9 of the drawings. In the dial cap a second cam I50 is used to project the dial needles into yarn receiving relation for knitting rib work. The central opening I42 of the dial is cut away at I5I so as to enable the fingers I30 to project the butts of the dial needles into engagement with the cam I50.

The compact arrangement for mounting the dial needle selector fingers I30 comprises a supporting collar or member I53 keyed at I54 on the sleeve II5 intermediate the ends of the latter. This support I53 has an annular fulcrum flange I30. These members I30 are provided with upper and lower portions I30 and I30 above and below the fulcrum point respectively which are disposed in an angular relation with respect to each other. When the fingers are mounted on the fulcrum flange I56 the upper portions I30 will be vertically positioned, and the lower portions I30 will be relatively convergent towards the axis of the shaft. The fingers I30 are bowed to provide fulcrum recesses I30 on the inner sides thereof which fit upon the fulcrum flange I56. In this manner the dial needle control members are arranged in close fitting annular relation and the lower ends thereof are normally positioned in the central opening of the dial cap. The lower ends are held in abutment with the sleeve II5 by means of compression springs I60 shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. In order to prevent lateral play of the fingers or members I30 suitable filler pieces may be placed between them. These filler pieces will of course be substantially the same shape as the members I30 except that they are not provided with butts or means for operating against the dial needles. The lower dial needle engaging ends of the members I 30 may be shaped in any fashion suitable to the mode of operating against the dial needles. At their upper ends the fingers I30 may be provided with any desired arrangement of butts thereon. In the example shown in the drawings substantially one half of the members I30 are provided with butts I30 at an upper level and the remainder of the said dial needle control members I30 have butts I30 at a lower level. The upper level butts I30 are arrangedQas shown in Figure 9. over substantially one half of the short butt cylinder needle section and substantially one half of the long butt cylinder needle section.

In the present invention the dial needle selector members I30 are adapted to project the dial needles merely at the stitch transfer and yarn receiving points. It is quite evident that the projection of the dial needles may be used for other purposes than herein enumerated. For instance, they could be selectively projected to take any desired arrangement of the yarns, such as patterning and wrapping yarns, etc.

Referring to the means E for driving the dial and cylinder, the drive shaft of the drive mechanism includes sections I65 and I65 and a main drive shaft. They are not keyed together except through the intermediary of clutch mechanism to be subsequently described. The section I65 has a herring-bone bevel gear I66 which meshes 75 the teeth of the gear I61.

with the cylinder gear 43 for drive of the said 20! which are on the other end thereof into recylinder. The section "55 also has keyed therewith a smaller bevel herring-bone gear I61 which may be bolted directly to the gear I66. The beveled teeth on this gear I61 face directly opposite the bevel of the teeth on the gear I55 and are adapted to drive the diagonally disposed shaft I10. The shaft'l 0 is mounted in a suitable bearing I1I on the bed frame of the machine, and in a bearing I12 at the upper end of the dial supporting yoke arm or bracket I01. The upper end of the arm I is provided with a herringbone bevel gear I12, which meshes with the teeth of the gear I22, and drives the latter. The lower end of the shaft I10 within the compartment of the cabinet of the machine below the bed is provided with a herring-bone gear I14 meshing with are compactly associated and it is to be particularly noted that the arrangement eliminates. the necessity of a horizontal counter shaft. The elimination of all gearing except direct connection between the drive shaft of the machine and the dial does away with unnecessary back slap and loose play in the gears, so that it is possible to accurately regulate the relation of the dial needles to cylinder needles, and to effect the various delicate operating positions of the parts which are vitally necessary during the knitting of continuous strings of stockings of the character set forth in this application.

A clutch hub I68 is splined at I10 upon shaft section I65 and adapted for selective clutching with either a spur gear I1I=- which is keyed directly to the shaft section I65 at I12 or with the .gear I15. A pulley I10 idles on the shaft section I 55 and said shaft I 65 may also have a hand crank thereon best shown at I11**, and used in the usual manner. The shaft section I65 has a second pulley I11 directly keyed to the shaft I65 The third pulley I18 is rotatably mounted on the shaft section I85 by a sleeve section I10 integral therewith which bears in a wall of the frame B of the machine, as shown in Figure 11. This sleeve I19 at the inside of the drive gear cabinet of the' frame has a spur gear I80 keyed directly therewith. A countershaft I8! is rotatably mounted on the wall of the frame B and it has thereon a pair of freely rotatable gears I82 and I83; the latter meshing with the teeth of the spur gear I1I The gears I1I I80, I82 and I83 comprise a compound high speed means for driving the shaft section I65 at a high speed. The direct drive of course rotates the cylinder at a lower speed. Meshing with and directly back of the gear I80 is a larger gear I85 (see Figure 6) which has a crank pitman I88 eccentrically pivoted thereto. A pivoting gear lever I81 is mounted intermediate its ends upon a shaft I83 below the main drive shaft assembly. It has a segment shaped end I89 provided with gear teeth 590 which mesh with the teeth of the gear I15. The latter is loosely mounted upon the shaft I85 The lever I81 is reciprocated when the gear I85 is rotated, and thus oscillatively moves the gear I15. When the clutch hub I 58 is in engagement with the gear I it can readily be seen that the cylinder will be reciprocated for knitting the heel and toe pockets.

Referring to the means for advancing the drum assemblage F, and to rotate the sprocket 90 in order to advance the main pattern chain G, a bell crank lever I95 is pivoted at I90 and operates off of roller lugs on the gear I85. These lugs hit the lever I95 at one end to throw pawls 200 and These gears and parts spective advancing engagement with the teeth. of ratchet wheels 9| and 85. Both of these pawls 200 and 20I are mounted on the lever I 95 and are spring urged into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheels. There are eight lugs or rollers on the gear I85 which operate the lever I95. Four of them, designated at 203, are radially set back farther than the other four 204, so that the throw of the bell crank lever is greater when the rollers 204 are hitting the lever than when the rollers 203 engage it. The purpose of this will be subsequently described.

-In the gear cabinet of the machine the lever 205 is pivoted at 206 intermediate its ends. At one end it has a pawl 201 operating against the teeth of the ratchet wheel 85. At its other end it has a roller 2I0 operating against a cam foot 2I I which forms part of the oscillating lever I81, at the opposite side of the shaft I88 with respect to the segment I89. A spring 2 I3 normally. holds the roller 2 I0 against the cam surface of the foot 2II. Of course oscillation of the arm I81 will advance the pawl 201.

The chain G has two longitudinal series of lugs along it, arranged along the lines H5 and ZIB designated in Figure 12 of the drawings. Levers 2H and 2I8 respectively pivoted at 2I9 and 220 on the shaft 11 are adapted for cooperation with the lugs along the lines 2I5 and 2 I6 respectively of the chain G. As shown in Figure 6 of the drawings these levers 2I1 and 2I8 are normally held in engagement intermediate their ends with the chain, in the line of the lugs, by means of springs 222. The lever 2I1 is provided with an arm v 223gthereon which normally holds the pawl 20I out-of, action. A lug on the chain G raises thelever 2I1 which will release the pawl 28I for action upon the ratchet wheel 85. The lever 2I8 is provided with an arm 224 which normally holds the pawl 201 out of action, but when a lug on the chain G- lifts the lever 2I8 it will move the arm 228 out of action and permit the pawl 201 to advance the ratchet wheel 85.

The set K of cylinder needles includes long butt needles 230 and short butt needles 23 I Below alternate long butt needles 230 there are provided jacks 232 having long butts ,at a lower level, and below alternate short butt needles there are provided jacks 233 having short butts at a lower level. Long butt jacks 234 have long butts at an upper level. They are positioned in an alternating relation with the cylinder needles, and similarly jacks 235 having short butts at the upper level (complementary to the jacks 234) are provided in alternating relation below the cylinder needles. These short butt upper level jacks 235 are spaced across the division line of the long and shot butt needles, that is, half of them are in the long butt needle section and half of them in the short butt needle section, and that is also true for the upper level long butt jacks 234, for a purpose which will be subse quently described. It should be noted in this connection that the upper level short butt jacks 2'55 are located below cylinder needles which are inactive during rib knitting and which receive stitches from the dial needles actuated by those dial needle actuating fingers I30 having the butts I30 thereof at the lower level.

The frame bed 21 of the machine has a cam supporting ring or table 240, which is spaced above the bed 21 so that access may be had to cams or operating features which may be placed between the table 240 and the bed 21, shown in Figures 1 and 4 of the drawings. The table 240 may have supporting posts 2, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings which are bolted to the bed 21. The table 2 10 supports main stitch cam block 244, shown in Figure 4 of the drawings; the widening pick attachment 030 shown in Fi ure 1 of the drawings, and other cam and cam operating levers to be subsequently described.

The machine is preferably provided with yarn feeds in the nature of the usual levers pivoted at 245 on the latch ring 246. This latch ring is bolted at 24'! upon the swinging arm I05 of the dial supporting structure I00 (see Figure 4) and the dial cap I29 is in turn bolted at 250* to the latch ring to hold it against rotation.

The five yarn feed fingers are used for feeding plating, splice, top, binding, and lining yarns to the needles. The finger 252 which feeds yarn for the knitting of the rib top also is used to knit the heel and toe of the stocking. By reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings it will be seen that these fingers 250 to 250 inclusive are swung into action by means of reciprocating push rods 256 (see Figure 2) supported by brackets 25? on the machine. These push rods 250 in turn are actuated by suitable levers 258, 259, 260, EM and 262, for the fingers 250, 25I, 252, 253, and 250 respectively. The levers 258 to 262 inclusive are pivoted on the shaft I7 and at their outer ends are raised by lugs on the drum F for throwing the push rods 256 into engagement with the respective yarn fingers.

At the location of transfer of the stitches from dial needles to cylinder needles a brush 260 is located for throwing the latches of the needles open.

As before mentioned the dial needles are partially advanced by the selectors I30, both at the transfer and stitch actuating cams of the dial. In order to support the cams for selective actuation of these fingers I30 a segmental shaped supporting piece 210, as shown in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings is mounted by means of brackets 2II attached to the skirt of the bracket I06 which supports the dial construction. Upper and lower levers 212 and 213 respectively are pivoted at 214 upon the supporting segment 210 for respective action upon the upper and lower level butts of the dial selector fingers I30. Thus, the lever 212 cams against the butts I30 and the lever 213 cams against the lower butts I30. These levers 212 and 213 are respectively connected by rods 216 with levers 21'! and 218. These levers 211 and 218 are pivoted upon the shaft I1 and are lug actuated off of the drum F. They are bell crank levers as can clearly be understood from Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings. The yarn receiving and stitch forming location on the dial for the dial needle actuating fingers I30 is provided with another pair of actuating levers 280 and 28I which are pivoted at 282 on the support 210. These levers are provided with cam portions for operating respectively on the upper butt and lower butt dial needle selector fingers I30. These levers 280 and 28I are thrown into and out of actuating relation by means of levers 284 and 285 respectively. These levers 284 and 285 are pivoted onthe shaft" and have connecting rods 286 which connect them with the cam levers 280 and 28I.

It was before mentioned that the sinker cams GI and 62 are opened and closed at difierent operations throughout the stocking. Inasmuch as the sinker cap oscillates during reciprocation of the machine, as limited by the lugs 290 thereon engaging against the lug 29I (see Figure 3), it will be desirable to hold the sinker ring 54 against movement when it is desired to advance the cam ring 65 for throwing the sinker cams SI and 62 to an inoperative position. To that end a lever 293 is pivoted at 294 upon the machine, as shown in Figure 3, which is adapted to engage against an oifset 295 on the sinker cam ring 54. The lever 293 is actuated off of the lever 295 and the latter is pivoted upon the shaft I1 and actuated ofi of drum F. It is connected by means of a rod 296 with the lever 293 above described.

The frame of the machine is provided with a bobbin supporting table 300 rearwardly of the lever arrangement which operates ofi the lugs of the drums F and F". On this table are supported bobbins 30I for feeding the various yarns to the feed fingers 250 to 254 inclusive. Figure 2 shows the arrangement of yarns. Plating yarn is indicated at 302, the splice yarn is indicated at 303, the heel, toe and rib top yarn is indicated at 30 5, the binding or selvage yarn is indicated at 305 and the lining yarn is indicated at 306. All of these yarns except the yarn 304 are fed through appropriate tensioners 301 and then extend to their respective feed fingers 250 to 254 inclusive.

The rib top yarn 304, which is also used in knitting the heel and toe has the normal tensioner 308 operating thereon, and it is provided with additional tensioning means which may be released as desired. This includes a conventional tensioner 3I0 having upper and lower plates between which the yarn passes. The lower plate is movably supported by an arm 3I5, shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, which is pivoted at 3I6 and normally spring urged at 3|! into tensioning position. A connecting rod 3I9 is attached to the arm 3I5 and moves upwardly and downwardly to throw the tensioner into and out of action. The rod 3I9 is pivoted at its lower end to a lever 320 which in turn is pivoted at 32! upon a bracket of the frame of the machine, as shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings. This lever 320 is connected by a rod 323 to one of the drum actuated levers 324. The drum actuating lever 324 is pivoted on the shaft 1! and lug actuated off the drum F in order to throw the yarn tensioner 3I0 into or out of yarn tensioning position.

Means is provided to hold the splice yarn in an out of the way relation with respect to the dial during knitting of the high splice heel and double sole during rotary knitting, since otherwise the splice yarn would become entangled with the dial and the dial needles. This splice yarn guard consists of a finger 340, shown in Figure 15 of the drawings, which has a curved end facing the splice yarn feed finger. This guard 340 moves into and out of position across the cylinder needle line, as shown in Figure 15. In the position shown in Figure 15 it is out of action, and in its dotted position it is across the cylinder needle line and in position to engage the splice yarn and guide and maintain it below the dial in an out of the way relation until the splice yarn is taken by the needles which are intended to take it during the next rotational movement. This guard finger 340 enters across the needle line at the knitting wave opening in the cylinder needle set directly above the low point inthe stitch cast-off cam, as shown in Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings.

The splice yarn finger 340 is mounted upon a movable supporting plate 3, slotted at 342.

A screw or pin 343 on the cam ring 54 supports the splice yarn guide member for reciprocatory movement into its operative and inoperative positions. A pin 344 assists in guiding the movement of the splice yarn guide. A spring 345 normally urges an edge of the guide 341 against the pin 344, and a spring 346 normally throws the yarn guide to an inoperative position as indicated in the full line view of Figure 15 of the drawings. Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings in conjunction with Figures 15 and 16it will be noted that a lever 3511 is pivoted on the same pivot 294 as the lever 293; said lever 3511 having a bifurcated end which engages a pin 351 on the splice yarn guide finger 346 for the purpose of advancing the splice yarn guide 346' into operative position as indicated in the dotted lines in Figure 15 of the drawings. This lever 356 is operated off of a lever 352 pivoted on the shaft 11, as shown in Figure 3.

A binder and cutter for cutting and holding the yarns is mounted upon the dial cap 129 of the machine. This binder and cutter is generally designated at 366 in the drawings. As shown in Figure 23 the binder and cutter includes a shaft 361 mountable by suitable brackets 362 on the dial cap 129. A binder arm 363 is spring urged at 364 for holding yarns after they are severed, and a loose pivoted binder 365 cooperates therewith. The shaft 361 is provided with a cutter bar 366 which operates in a depression in the dial cap to sever the yarn. This cutter is normally spring urged into cutting position by a spring 368. An extension arm 316 on the cutter bar 365 engages the arm 363 to lift the latter when the cutter bar is moved to an open position. This extension 3111 has a link 311 which is provided with an opening therein. The latch ring 246 is provided with a support 315 with which a yarn cutting operating lever 316 is pivoted as at 311; this lever 316 loosely extending into the link 311 for raising and lowering the cutter bar. The means for operating the lever 316 consists of a lever 386 shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, pivoted at 381 upon a suitable bracket mounted upon the latch ring; this operating lever 3611 having a pin at I its free end adapted to operate on the lever 316.

The lever 3811 is bell cranked, and at its opposite end it has a connecting rod 384 extending for connection to one of the drum actuated levers 385 which are pivoted on the shaft 11 and actuated by lugs off of the drum F.

The narrowing pick 460, shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, is actuated off of a lever 401 pivoted on the shaft 11 and lug actuated off of the drum F". A connecting rod 452 connects the bell crank lever 481 with the narrowing pick 466. Cylinder needle actuating cams 410, 411, 413, and 414 are provided, shown in Figures 9, 10, and 3, actuated off of levers 416 pivoted on the cam bed 246 of the machine. These cams 4111, 411, 413 and 414 are respectively actuated off of drum actuated levers 418, 419, 423 and 421 which are pivoted upon the shaft 11 and are lug actuated off of the drum F"; the said bell crank levers 418 to 421 being connected by rods 422 with the various levers 416. A pair of jack actuating cams 425 and 426 are provided on the machine; the same being actuated off of levers 421 and 426 pivoted on the shaft 11 of the machine and actuated off the drum F"; the actuation of these cams being accomplished in the same manner as the cams 418 to 414above described. These cams 425 and 426 are located in the space between the table 240 of the machine and the bed 21.

All of the rest of the jack and needle actuating cams, except those above described, are stationary.

The machine is'provided with a' widening pick finger 436 which slides along the inclined surfaces of the cam 431 to perform its picking operation. It is plunger actuated by a spring urged rod 432 best shown in Figure 2 of the drawings and actuated off of the drum F by a lever 432.

It is of course understood that the usual belt shipping mechanism 516 may be provided for throwing the machine out of operation at the completion of the knitting of a complete stocking, and to that end a lug 435 may be provided on the drum 86 to accomplish such action.

A work tube 440, shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4 of the drawings, may extend into the cylinder for receiving the string of stocking. It is provided with a lower enlarged receptacle portion 441 for receiving the string of stockings. A takeup which may be of conventional nature is supported in this portion 441 of the work tube and is rendered effective and ineffective by shifting and lowering the work tube. The lifting of the work tube will open the clutch and throw the take-up out of operation. The work tube rotates with the cylinder. It is raised and lowered by the means shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. It is provided with an annular flange 443 which restsagainst a lever 444; the latter operating off the drum F, in order to throw the take-up into and out of operation.

The take-up may be of the nature set forth in my U. S. Patent #1,991,563. As specifically applied to this machine the take-up may include the usual pair of rollers 446, shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 of the drawings, between which the work passes. These rollers are driven by means of gearing on a shaft 441 which extends downwardly through the side of the receptacle 441 and at its lower end is provided with a clutch 448 adapted to engage or disengage with a gear 443. The latter is driven by means of a stationary gear 456 which is mounted upon a bracket 451 of the frame of the machine. of course, as the receptacle 441 rotates, since the gear 458 is stationary, the gear 449 will revolve. When the clutch 446 is thrown into action the shaft 441 will rotate for operating the rollers 446. A spring 453 normally urges the work drum upwardly but its weight is suificient to maintain the clutch 448 in clutching engagement with the gear 449. This spring somewhat relieves the weight which is required to be lifted by the lever 444.

Referring to the pattern drum arrangement as diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 17, the dot and dash lines represent the line of travel of the drum over various levers and parts of the machine. The numeral 466 which takes in two of these lines is the line of shift of the clutch lever 461 which is pivoted on the frame of the machine as shown at 462 in Figure 6 of the drawings. This lever is not pivoted on the shaft 11, but has a vertical axis, and at its end it has a pin 463 which may move, incident to the sloping edges of the cam lugs 465 on the drum F" for the purpose of shifting the clutch hub 169. The parts are shown in Figures 3, 6 and 17 of the drawings.

- On the drum F" the dot and dash lines 461 operates the lever 418 in order to control the cam 41!]; the lugs along the line 468 .operate the lever 1 

